The Writers Block
A weekly post-con-style roundtable romp with some of the most outspoken (yet still employed) creators in comics. Show biz war stories. State of the comic union. Furious debates over ‘80s televisions shows. Great lobster bisque recipes. Something for everybody.
We have voluntarily self-rated this production as PG-13. Some material may not be suitable for children.
Listen to the preview trailer!
Also available on YouTube if you'd prefer to see everyone's lovely faces!
Episode Archive
David Booher
Episode Number: 59Avallone and Rylend talk with writer David Booher (CANTO, KILLER QUEENS) about the gut wrenching leap of faith that is quitting your day job and committing to full time creative work. They also touch on pitching, meeting editors, and Rylend’s predilection with punching readers in the face.
Episode download: TWB059.mp3
DAVID M. BOOHER
Twitter: @davidbooher
Instagram: @davidmbooher
Website: https://davidbooher.comRelease Date: March 2, 2022
Run Time: 1:31:49Jason Inman
Episode Number: 58David and Rylend talk with writer/podcaster Jason Inman about small screen Walking Dead, big screen Batman, and the unequivocal wonder that is AC/DC. Oh, yeah… and we also touch on Jason’s comic book - SUPER BEST FRIEND - available now via Kickstarter.
CHECK OUT MY SUPER BEST FRIEND ON KICKSTARTER NOW: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jawiin/super-best-friend-1-2-a-superhero-adventure-comic
Episode download: TWB058.mp3
JASON INMAN
Twitter: @jawiin
Instagram: @jawiin
Website: https://solo.to/jasoninman
Geek History Lesson: https://www.geekhistorylesson.comRelease Date: February 23, 2022
Run Time: 53:14PROJECT MK-ULTRA
Episode Number: 57David and Rylend talk with cartoonist Stewart Kenneth Moore and writers Brandon Beckner and Scott Sampila about their Clover Press comic book PROJECT MK-ULTRA: SEX, DRUGS and THE CIA… and Avallone finally opens up about the decade he spent as an agency stooge, trading blue jeans and New Coke for state secrets in Moscow Metro stations.
CHECK OUT MK ULTRA VIA THE CLOVER PRESS WEBSITE NOW: https://cloverpress.us/collections/newly-added/products/project-mk-ultra-sex-drugs-the-cia-vol-1
Episode download: TWB057.mp3
STEWART KENNETH MOORE
Twitter: @opipop
Instagram: @booda_von_boodstein
Website: www.stewartkmoore.comBRANDON BECKNER
Twitter: @parrotpoet1
Instagram: @parrotpoet1
Website: https://www.brandonbeckner.comSCOTT SAMPILA
Instagram: @sampila
Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1399100/Release Date: February 16, 2022
Run Time: 1:24:26Charlie Stickney and Gene Ching
Episode Number: 56David and Rylend talk with writer Charlie Stickney (WHITE ASH) and action choreographer/KungFuMagazine.com publisher Gene Ching about their collaboration on the Immortal Studios Wuxia comic book epic THE ADEPT… and Avallone briefly considers returning to his ancestral home (Naples, Italy) to take up sculpting.
CHECK OUT THE ADEPT #2 ON KICKSTARTER NOW: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theadept2/the-adept-2
Episode download: TWB056.mp3
GENE CHING
Twitter: @geneching
Website: geneching.wordpress.comCHARLIE STICKNEY
Twitter: @CharlesStickney
Instagram: @whiteashcomic
Website: https://whiteashcomic.comRelease Date: February 9, 2022
Run Time: 1:09:42Amanda Deibert, Barbra Dillon, and Richard Fairgray
Episode Number: 55Back from holiday hiatus with a vengeance, David and Rylend talk with writer Amanda Deibert (Wonder Woman, He-Man), cartoonist Richard Fairgray (BLACK SAND BEACH), and Fanbase Press Honcho Barbra Dillon about the post COVID comic book landscape… and Richard gleefully tells us about the time he maced and threw dog poop on an overly aggressive meathead who refused to wear a mask during a global pandemic.
Episode download: TWB055.mp3
AMANDA DEIBERT
Twitter: @amandadeibert
Instagram: @amandadeibertofficial
Website: amandadeibert.comRICHARD FAIRGRAY
Twitter: @RichardFairgray
Instagram: @richardfairgrayauthor
Website: richardfairgray.comBARBRA DILLON
Twitter: @barbrajdillon
Instagram: @barbrajdillonFANBASE PRESS
Twitter: @fanbase_press
Instagram: @fanbasepress
Website: fanbasepress.comRelease Date: February 2, 2022
Run Time: 1:13:35Just Us
Episode Number: 54With a holiday hiatus looming, David and Rylend interview each other, chewing mightily on the influence properties like various Star Treks, Magnum P.I., James Bond, and Jack Reacher have had on their personal lives/creative careers… we’ll leave you to decide which franchise profoundly affected which host.
Episode download: TWB054.mp3
Release Date: November 17, 2021
Run Time: 1:32:36Shaenon K. Garrity and Andrew Farago
Episode Number: 53This week, David and Rylend chat with Shaenon K. Garrity and Andrew Farago from the Cartoon Art Museum in San Fransisco about the Gallery’s current happenings and its mission is to ignite imaginations and foster the next generation of visual storytellers… and Rylend shows off pieces from his extensive Beavis and Butthead original animation cel collection while soulfully crooning David Van Driessen’s “Men have feelings, too.”
Episode download: TWB053.mp3
ANDREW FARAGO
Twitter: @andrewfarago
Instagram: @andrewfarago
Website: andrewfarago.comSHAENON K. GARRITY
Twitter: @shaenongarrity
Instagram: @shaenongarrity
Website: shaenon.comCARTOON ART MUSEUM: https://www.cartoonart.org/about
Release Date: November 10, 2021
Run Time: 1:31:32Madeleine Holly-Rosing and Tilly and Susan Bridges
Episode Number: 52This week, David and Rylend get an audio drama how-to courtesy of Tilly and Susan Bridges (Pendant Productions) and Madeleine Holly-Rosing (Boston Metaphysical Society), the group discusses the advantages of diversifying one’s creative bonds, and Rylend - who was ripped awake at 5am by a Halloween-obsessed 5-year-old - briefly falls asleep on camera.
Episode download: TWB052.mp3
MADELEINE HOLLY-ROSING
Twitter: @MHollyRosing
Instagram: @mcholly1CHECK OUT THE BOSTON METAPHYSICAL SOCIETY: THE GHOST SHIP AUDIO DRAMA KICKSTARTER: kck.st/3m0MIVo
SUSAN BRIDGES
Twitter: @susanlbridges
Instagram: @susanlbridges
Website: pendantaudio.com
Website: birdguest.comTILLY BRIDGES
Twitter: @TillyBridges
Website: pendantaudio.com
Website: birdguest.comRelease Date: November 3, 2021
Run Time: 1:17:02Anthony Pollock and Gary Edwards
Episode Number: 51This week, David and Rylend chat with Anthony Pollock (EIC at Soda and Telepaths) and Gary Edwards (Editor at Gestalt Comics) about their soon-to-be-kickstarted comic anthology PRODUCING THE END OF THE WORLD… and the group does a deep dive on beard maintenance.
Episode download: TWB051.mp3
CHECK OUT THE “COMIC JABRONI" VARIANT OF THE JUMP 1 & 2: https://thejump2.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/358061
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE FAMILY OF EDWIN OCASIO!
ANTHONY POLLOCK
Twitter: @anthpollock/@SodaTelepaths
Instagram: @anth.pollock
Website: SodaandTelepaths.comGARY EDWARDS
Twitter: @dingogary
Instagram: @dingogaryRelease Date: October 27, 2021
Run Time: 1:30:11Christie Shinn and Don Nguyen
Episode Number: 50This week, David and Rylend chat with Christie Shinn (DEMON BITCH) and Don Nguyen (PABLO THE GORILLA) about writing from the artist’s perspective… and the writer/artist’s perspective… also, David tells thinly-veiled Andy Sidaris stories and Rylend talks about the time he was almost forced to do mushrooms and go rock-climbing with Tony Scott.
Episode download: TWB050.mp3
CHECK OUT THE “COMIC JABRONI" VARIANT OF THE JUMP 1 & 2: https://thejump2.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/358061
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE FAMILY OF EDWIN OCASIO!
CHRISTIE SHINN
Twitter: @HoraToraStudios
Instagram: @HoraToraStudios
Website: HoraToraStudios.comSUPPORT DEMON BITCH AND OTHER STUPID THINGS: Patreon.com/HoraToraStudios
WHERE TO FOLLOW DEMON BITCH: webtoons.com/en/challenge/demon-btch/list?title_no=148964DON NGUYEN
Twitter: @nguyeningit
Instagram: @nguyeningit
Website: NguyeningIt.comRelease Date: October 20, 2021
Run Time: 1:36:44Marielle Bouleau and Simon Birks
Episode Number: 49This week, David and Rylend talk with Marielle Bouleau and Simon Birks from Blue Fox Comics (THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS and THE SHADOWS OVER INNSMOUTH) about building a publishing powerhouse on Kickstarter and all the fun and crazy that goes into running a new campaign most every month... and David and Rylend celebrate the show cracking the top 60 on the Apple visual arts podcast charts by performing a soul-scorching choreographed dance (via zoom, of course) to Benny Mardones’ INTO THE NIGHT.
Episode download: TWB049.mp3
CHECK OUT THE “COMIC JABRONI" VARIANT OF THE JUMP 1 & 2: https://thejump2.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/358061
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE FAMILY OF EDWIN OCASIO!
BLUE FOX COMICS
Twitter: @BlueFoxComics
Instagram: @BlueFoxComics
Website: bluefoxcomics.comMARIELLE BOULEAU
Twitter: @mariellewrites
Instagram: @marielle.writes
Website: bit.ly/2RCoKTzSIMON BIRKS
Twitter: @SBirksWriter
Instagram: @SBirksWriterRelease Date: October 13, 2021
Run Time: 1:11:36Henry Barajas
Episode Number: 48This week, David and Rylend talk with Henry Barajas (LA VOZ DE M.A.Y.O.: TATA RAMBO) about his journey from donut shop manager to comic shop headliner… and the guys, perhaps too enthusiastically, trade “Kinsey Scale” ratings.
Episode download: TWB048.mp3
CHECK OUT THE “COMIC JABRONI" VARIANT OF THE JUMP 1 & 2: https://thejump2.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/358061
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE FAMILY OF EDWIN OCASIO!
HENRY BARAJAS
Twitter: @HenryBarajas
Website: linktr.ee/henrybarajasRelease Date: October 6, 2021
Run Time: 54:50Kristin Gollhofer and Jason Bennett
Episode Number: 47David and Rylend talk with Kristin Gollhofer (Cohost of Meanwhile at the Podcast) and Jason Bennett (Editor in Chief of PopCultHQ) about the creator/journalist relationship and everyone’s very essential place in the “comic book ecosystem…” also, Rylend spends half the show shuffling through an old box where he finds some rare ALF pogs, an old copy of X-MEN signed by Stan Lee, and a grocery list written by WEEKEND AT BERNIE’S phenom Andrew McCarthy in 1991.
Episode download: TWB047.mp3
CHECK OUT JASON’S REVIEW OF SUICIDE JOCKEYS #2 AT POPCULTHQ.COM: https://bit.ly/SuicideJockeys2Review
CHECK OUT THE “COMIC JABRONI" VARIANT OF THE JUMP 1 & 2: https://thejump2.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/358061
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE FAMILY OF EDWIN OCASIO!
KRISTIN GOLLHOFER
Twitter: @klu4973/@MeanwhileATP
Instagram: @klu4973/@MeanwhileATPJASON BENNETT
Twitter: @TahoeJBennett/@PopCultHq
Instagram: @TahoeJBennett/@PopCultHq
Website: PopCultHQ.comRelease Date: September 29, 2021
Run Time: 1:35:11Comic Law with Thomas Crowell
Episode Number: 46David and Rylend talk with attorney Thomas Crowell - author of The Pocket Lawyer for Filmmakers and The Pocket Lawyer for Comic Book Creators - about creators rights, IP law, and what a contract should look like… and Rylend tries very hard to pretend that he’s not presenting all of this because a certain publisher screwed over a bunch of creators who are now lashing out on a certain social media platform.
MR. CROWELL’S COMMENTS ARE FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. ONLY YOUR ATTORNEY CAN ADVISE YOU WHICH LAWS ARE APPLICABLE TO YOUR SPECIFIC CASE AND SITUATION. THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE OR A LEGAL OPINION.
Episode download: TWB046.mp3
CHECK OUT THE “COMIC JABRONI" VARIANT OF THE JUMP 1 & 2: https://thejump2.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/358061
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE FAMILY OF EDWIN OCASIO!
THOMAS CROWELL
Twitter: @Law_Crow
Law Firm Website: www.lanecrowell.com
Personal Website: www.thomascrowell.comRelease Date: September 22, 2021
Run Time: 1:37:53Jaclyn and Anthony Marques
Episode Number: 45This week, the guys talk with owners/administrators Jaclyn and Anthony Marques about everything going on at the famed Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art… and both Rylend and David seriously consider going back to school.
Episode download: TWB045.mp3
CHECK OUT THE “COMIC JABRONI" VARIANT OF THE JUMP 1 & 2: https://thejump2.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/358061
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE FAMILY OF EDWIN OCASIO!
JACLYN & ANTHONY MARQUES
Twitter: @TheKubertSchool
Instagram: @thekubertschool
Website: https://www.kubertschool.eduRelease Date: September 15, 2021
Run Time: 1:16:48David Pepose
Episode Number: 44This week, Rylend and David talk with SPENCER AND LOCKE creator David Pepose about the Kickstarter campaign for Issue 2 of his twisted Land of Oz opus, THE O.Z., the group takes a long look at what can and should make a story truly meaningful (for author and reader), and they briefly discuss starting a semi-religious cult based on the guiding principals of the Boy Scouts of America.
Episode download: TWB044.mp3
DAVID PEPOSE
Twitter: @Peposed
Instagram: Peposed
Website: linktr.ee/peposedRelease Date: September 8, 2021
Run Time: 1:33:56Skylar Patridge and Ben Bishop
Episode Number: 43This week, a “surviving the pandemic” talk with artists Skylar Patridge (Resonant) and Ben Bishop (TMNT: The Last Ronin) turns into a really meaty mental health deep dive… and Rylend preaches fanatically about the soul restorative aspects of Karaoke.
Episode download: TWB043.mp3
SKYLAR PATRIDGE
Twitter: @SkyePatridge
Instagram: @SkyePatridge
Website: Ko-fi.com/skylarpatridgeBEN BISHOP
Twitter: @bishart
Instagram: @bishart
Website: bishart.netRelease Date: September 1, 2021
Run Time: 1:33:13King Spawn Origins with Sean Lewis
Episode Number: 42This week, Rylend and David talk career development and the origins of KING SPAWN with writer Sean Lewis (THUMBS, SUPERMAN FUTURE STATE)… and at some point, the three start slipping on all of the comic/film heavyweight names being dropped.
Episode download: TWB042.mp3
SEAN LEWIS
Twitter: @SeanChrisLewis
Instagram: @seanlewis6026
Website: https://www.littlearkfilms.comRelease Date: August 25, 2021
Run Time: 1:07:23Jo Duffy and Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Episode Number: 41This week, Rylend and David talk with Hall of Famers Jo Duffy (STAR WARS, CATWOMAN) and Phillip Kennedy Johnson (ACTION COMICS, ALIEN) about writing for the big two… and Jo battles an old karate injury - NO LIE - sustained while training to prepare to write POWER MAN AND IRON FIST.
Episode download: TWB041.mp3
JO DUFFY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jo.duffy.7PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
Twitter: @phillip_kennedy_johnson
Instagram: @PhillipKJohnson
Website: phillipkennedyjohnson.comRelease Date: August 18, 2021
Run Time: 1:20:24Liana Kangas and Leisha Riddel
Episode Number: 40AND THEN THEY FIGHT - This week, Rylend and David talk with two very accomplished artists - Liana Kangas (STAR WARS ADVENTURES) and Leisha Riddell (SMOOTH CRIMINALS) - about what the writer/artist relationship could, should, and, in many cases, must look like… and they learn the HARD way never to ask Liana to draw a horse.
Episode download: TWB040.mp3
LIANA KANGAS
Twitter: @lianakangas
Instagram: @lianakangas
Website: linktr.ee/lianakangasLEISHA RIDDEL
Twitter: @LeishaRiddel
Instagram: @LeishaRiddel
Website: leisha.artRelease Date: August 4, 2021
Run Time: 1:29:59Why You Should Be Working In Comics
Episode Number: 39This week, Rylend and David moderate a virtual panel discussion for Los Film School students featuring creatives whom have worked extensively in film/television AND found success in comics… Melody Cooper (Omni, Law and Order: SVU), Amanda Deibert (Wonder Woman, He-Man), and David M. Booher (Canto, Killer Queens).
Episode download: TWB039.mp3
MELODY COOPER
Twitter: @melodyMcooper
Instagram: @melodycooperfilm
Website: melodyMcooper.comAMANDA DEIBERT
Twitter: @amandadeibert
Instagram: @amandadeibertofficial
Website: amandadeibert.comDAVID M. BOOHER
Twitter: @davidbooher
Instagram: @davidmbooher
Website: davidbooher.comRelease Date: July 28, 2021
Run Time: 1:33:43Holly Interlandi and D.J. Kirkbride
Episode Number: 38CCCOOOOOONNNSSS! Part 2 - This week, Rylend and David talk returning to cons with Eisner and Harvey-winning editor/comic creator (ERRAND BOYS) D.J. Kirkbride and writer/editor Holly Interlandi (LAST SONG)… and we learn that both Rylend AND David have broken Erik Estrada’s heart in two unrelated incidents.
Episode download: TWB038.mp3
HOLLY INTERLANDI
Twitter: @junkstory
Instagram: @metal_eye
Website: hollyinterlandi.comD.J. KIRKBRIDE
Twitter: @DJKirkbride
Instagram: @DJKirkbride
Website: djkirkbride.comRelease Date: July 21, 2021
Run Time: 1:17:20David Baron and Karla Nappi
Episode Number: 37Cons are Coming! - This week, Rylend and David talk the ins, outs, ups, and downs of returning to cons with hall of fame colorist (BATMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE)/STAINED creator David Baron and TV writer/DUPLICANT creator Karla Nappi… and Rylend and Avallone must seriously consider couples counseling after the latter thoughtlessly disparages both Cheesy Poofs and THE DEPARTED.
Episode download: TWB037.mp3
DAVID BARON
Twitter: @MyZombies
Instagram: @MyZombies
Website: davidbaron.coKARLA NAPPI
Twitter: @musingsbycrazed
Instagram: @musingsbycrazed
Website: karlanappi.comRelease Date: July 14, 2021
Run Time: 1:23:43Susan Hurwtiz-Arneson and Jose Molina
Episode Number: 36This week, Rylend and David talk comic/TV adaptations with a couple of seasoned TV Pros, Susan Hurwitz-Arneson (Preacher, The Tick) and Jose Molina (Agent Carter, Firefly). David decants. There are pictures of Carl Weathers on the wall behind Rylend. All is right with the world for 90 minutes.
Episode download: TWB036.mp3
SUSAN HURWITZ-ARNESON
Twitter: @batdorkgirl
Instagram: @susanhurwitzarneson
Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2409134/JOSE MOLINA
Twitter: @JoseMolinaTV
Instagram: @JoseMolinaTV
Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0596711/Release Date: July 7, 2021
Run Time: 1:38:06Rodney Barnes and Kevin Roditeli
Episode Number: 35License to Thrill - This week, Rylend and David talk licensed comics with Eisner-nominated KILLADELPHIA scribe/LAKERS Executive Producer, Rodney Barnes, and Behemoth’s head editor of licensed titles, Kevin Roditeli… and when Kevin starts talking Michael Mann’s HEAT, Rylend gleefully dusts off his award-winning Waingro impersonation and takes it for a proper spin. “He was MAKING A MOVE, man… I had to GET IT ON.”
Episode download: TWB035.mp3
RODNEY BARNES
Twitter: @TheRodneyBarnes
Instagram: @TheRodneyBarnes
Website: rodneybarnes.comKEVIN RODITELLI
Twitter: @KevinRoditeli
Instagram: @kevin_roditeli.comics
Website: happytank.coRelease Date: June 30, 2021
Run Time: 1:04:06